Global Fishing Watch.
Fishing transparency for ocean monitoring and analysis.
Fishing transparency for ocean monitoring and analysis.
Overview
Clarity for High-Stakes Monitoring
When I joined Global Fishing Watch, the platform was starting from scratch. Using early coastal data and partnerships with NGOs, researchers, and governments, it grew into a widely adopted global initiative. Our challenge was turning complex vessel tracking signals into clear insights, helping users identify vessel activity and flag suspicious or illegal behavior.
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My role - Product & Interaction Design
Product Strategy & Design
Core Contributions:
- Defined interaction patterns for filtering by vessel type, time ranges, regions, and behavioral signals
- Improved map-based workflows so users could quickly move from exploration to reporting and sharing insights
- Collaborated closely with data science and engineering to ensure the interface matched real analytical needs and constraints
Results
Measurable Impact
2,200+ vessels made publicly visible in Chile
So authorities and the public can see where fleets operate in national waters.
3× more vessel inspections during a US Coast Guard patrol (2019 vs 2018)
Better targeting meant more inspections in the same area and time window.
8× more violations identified during that same patrol
More effective enforcement outcomes thanks to improved intelligence support.
105 days at sea: highest violations per boarding in the operation’s history
A major high-seas patrol uncovered serious breaches of fisheries rules.
